ABSTRACT
The heart is a three-dimensional (3D) structure and so the display of anatomy in 3D makes assessment easier and more accurate. The backbone of 3D technology is the transducer. There are two methods of data acquisition in 3D echo: real-time or live 3D imaging and multi-beat imaging. 3D echo allows the acquisition of 3D volume datasets and the instantaneous real-time display of a beating heart in three dimensions. Live 3D imaging can be analysed with minimal post-processing whereas multi-beat acquisition requires detailed postprocessing. Volume rendering is the commonest method of display. This technique uses multiple algorithms to display a 3D image on a 2D screen. A good quality live 3D image can only be obtained from a narrow sector width because of limitations in computer processing power. Drop-out artefacts are due to low gain settings and appear as ‘false holes’ on thin structures due to the poor echo signal intensity.
